The legend of Sant Jordi

The great legend of Montblanc, recorded by the Catalan folklorist Joan Amades, places the famous battle between Sant Jordi and the dragon right in front of the walls of Montblanc.

Long ago, a fierce dragon terrorized the surroundings of Montblanc, devouring animals and threatening the safety of its people. When there were no animals left, it was decided that one person from the town would be given to the beast each day. A lottery was held among the entire population, including the royal family, and fate chose the king’s daughter, the princess. Just as the dragon was about to devour her, the knight Sant Jordi appeared and defeated the beast with a fatal blow. From the place where the dragon’s blood was spilled, a rosebush grew, full of red roses. This is the origin of the Catalan tradition of giving roses on Sant Jordi’s Day, April 23rd.

Each year, to mark this celebration, Montblanc holds the Setmana Medieval de Sant Jordi (Medieval Week of Sant Jordi), which, due to its prominence in Catalonia and across Spain, has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.